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With Aperol, gin, fresh lemon juice and some simple syrup, this Aperol sour tastes like an orange popsicle in cocktail form.
I've been on a cocktail kick lately, from a Black Manhattan to blood orange martini to a Godiva chocolate martini.
But while I've had plenty of sours at bars, I haven't shared one on this blog.
When trying to come up with my first sour cocktail, I remembered Aperol. While it is most known for a spritz, I liked the idea of a bright and citrusy sour and the orange flavor from Aperol would work great.
I added some gin as I thought the slightly pine taste would contrast well. And while many sours have egg whites, it isn't necessary. My wife isn't a fan so I don't make them with it. Either way this Aperol sour was a hit.
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Ingredient Notes
- Aperol - known for its bright orange hue, its flavor is most closely associated with rhubarb, burnt orange and bitter herbs.
- Gin - has an herbal flavor marked with citrus and spices which complements the Aperol well. My go-to is Bombay Sapphire.
- Egg white - adds frothiness, viscosity and mouthfeel to the cocktail, but isn't necessary. If you are concerned about raw eggs, you can just omit like I did.
Step-by-Step Photos
Add all of the ingredients to a cocktail shaker without ice. Shake for 30 seconds. Add ice and shake for an additional 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled glass and top with a lemon peel.
FAQs
A sour is a mixed drink with a base liquor, citrus juice, sweetener and sometimes egg whites. They come in many varieties.
This is called an Aperol sour for a reason, but if you don't have it or can't find it, there are a few substitutes that work well, including Contratto Aperitivo, Select Aperitivo and Luxardo Aperitivo.
No. Egg whites will have very little effect on the cocktail's taste. They add a nice rich, silky, foam texture. So it is all about preference.
If you want some foam but are concerned about raw egg, you can try Ms. Better's Bitters. It is vegan and actually works in creating foam!
I personally like using a coupe glass, but an old fashioned whiskey glass works as well.
Types of Gin
There are 4 main types of gin, and they all vary slightly in their flavor. Just depends on what you are looking for.
- London Dry - the most common type of gin, which has a strong juniper flavor.
- Plymouth - drier than London Dry and a little more citrus forward.
- Old Tom - has more licorice and is richer in flavor than London Dry.
- Genever - almost no citrus flavor and the richest in flavor of all gins.
Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
- Use a gin you like as some of the flavor comes from it.
- You can leave the gin out if you like a lower alcohol content or want an even more prominent Aperol flavor.
- Chill the glass so it remains cold for longer.
Other Cocktail Recipes
If you’ve tried these Aperol sour or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to.
Aperol Sour
Ingredients
- 2 oz Aperol
- 1 oz gin
- ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
- ½ oz simple syrup
- 1 egg white (optional)
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a cocktail shaker without ice. Shake for 30 seconds. Add ice and shake for 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe glass and top add a lemon peel as garnish.
Notes
- Use a gin you like as some of the flavor comes from it.
- You can leave the gin out if you like a lower alcohol content or want an even more prominent Aperol flavor.
- Chill the glass so it remains cold for longer.
- Leave the egg white out if you are concerned about raw eggs.
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